feel

The definition of feel is the perception or sensation of something or the sense of touch.

(noun)

  1. An example of feel is when you go to a store and think it seems high end.
  2. An example of feel is when you run your hand over silk and it is smooth and soft.

To feel is defined as to be aware of someone or something touching you, to explore something by touch, using your sense of touch to guide you or experiencing emotions.

(verb)

  1. An example of feel is when you are aware of someone touching your arm.
  2. An example of feel is when you run your hand over fabric.
  3. An example of feel is when you make your way through your house in the dark by touching various things in the house.
  4. An example of feel is when you are happy.

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See feel in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb felt, feeling

  1. to touch or handle in order to become aware of; examine or test by touching or handling
  2. to perceive or be aware of through physical sensation: to feel rain on the face
    1. to experience (an emotion or condition): to feel joy, pain, etc.
    2. to be moved by or very sensitive to: to feel death keenly
  3. to be aware of through intellectual perception: to feel the weight of an argument
  4. to think or believe, often for unanalyzed or emotional reasons: he feels that we should go

Origin: ME felen < OE felan, akin to Ger fühlen & L palpare, to stroke < ? IE base *pel-, to fly, flutter, cause to tremble > OE fīfealde, Ger falter, butterfly

intransitive verb

  1. to have physical sensation; be sentient
  2. to appear to be to the senses, esp. to the sense of touch: the water feels warm
  3. to have the indicated emotional effect: it feels good to be wanted
  4. to try to find something by touching; grope (for)
  5. to be or be aware of being: to feel sad, sick, certain, etc.
  6. to be moved to sympathy, pity, etc. (for)

noun

  1. the act of feeling; perception by the senses
  2. the sense of touch
  3. the nature of a thing as perceived through touch: the feel of wet sawdust
  4. an emotional sensation or effect: the feel of happiness
  5. instinctive ability or appreciation: a feel for design

See feel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb felt felt (fĕlt), feel·ing, feels
verb, transitive
  1. a. To perceive through the sense of touch: feel the velvety smoothness of a peach.
    b. To perceive as a physical sensation: feel a sharp pain; feel the cold.
  2. a. To touch.
    b. To examine by touching. See Synonyms at touch.
  3. To test or explore with caution: feel one's way in a new job.
  4. a. To undergo the experience of: felt my interest rising; felt great joy.
    b. To be aware of; sense: felt the anger of the crowd.
    c. To be emotionally affected by: She still feels the loss of her dog.
  5. a. To be persuaded of (something) on the basis of intuition, emotion, or other indefinite grounds: I feel that what the informant says may well be true.
    b. To believe; think: She felt his answer to be evasive.
verb, intransitive
  1. To experience sensations of touch.
  2. a. To produce a particular sensation, especially through the sense of touch: The sheets felt smooth.
    b. To produce a particular impression; appear to be; seem: It feels good to be home. See Usage Note at well2.
  3. To be conscious of a specified kind or quality of physical, mental, or emotional state: felt warm and content; feels strongly about the election.
  4. To seek or explore something by the sense of touch: felt for the light switch in the dark.
  5. To have compassion or sympathy: I feel for him in his troubles.
noun
  1. Perception by or as if by touch; sensation: a feel of autumn in the air.
  2. The sense of touch: a surface that is rough to the feel.
  3. a. An act or instance of touching or feeling.
    b. Vulgar An act or instance of sexual touching or fondling.
  4. The nature or quality of something as perceived by or as if by the sense of touch: “power steering that seems overassisted, eliminating road feel” (Mark Ginsburg).
  5. Overall impression or effect; atmosphere: “gives such disparate pictures . . . a crazily convincing documentary feel” (Stephen King).
  6. Intuitive awareness or natural ability: has a feel for decorating.
Phrasal Verbs: feel out To try cautiously or indirectly to ascertain the viewpoint or nature of. feel up Vulgar To touch or fondle (someone) sexually.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English felen

Origin: , from Old English fēlan; see pāl- in Indo-European roots

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